Penalties Played A Crucial Role In Final Drive

Dallas shot themselves in the foot with penalties long before Jason Garrett called the now-infamous timeout on Sunday

When we look back on the Dallas Cowboys’ week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in overtime, the first thing that will come to mind will (of course) be Jason Garrett’s head-scratching clock management and the timeout that proved to ice Garrett’s own kicker, Dan Bailey, before he attempted a potentially game-winning field goal.

But these were just the most memorable in a day that was lousy with miscues for the Cowboys.

Aside from rushing yards, on paper, the Cowboys won just about every phase of the game--time of possession, total yards, first downs, etc. But their efforts were hampered by seven penalties, worth 49 yards, and a season-high five sacks allowed.

Two of these penalties came on that fateful final drive of regulation, and, of course, a block in the back penalty called on Orlando Scandrick negated a 35-yard punt return that would have given Dallas great field position to begin with.

Which is to say, the timeout debacle will be the lasting image from the loss for Cowboys fans--but the performance was ugly long before Bailey’s 49-yard attempt fell wide and short of the left upright.

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